Azeezat, a singer and songwriter, came into the entertainment industry 15 years ago. She has a number of hit songs to her credit. In January, she released the video of her song, Love Without Language. In this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI, Azeezat, a strong member of COSON, talks about her recent work, marriage and much more. Excerpts:
FOR some time, you have not been active in the music scene. So, could you tell me what you have been up to?
I just released the video of Love Without Language. I am currently in the studio working on the songs for my next album. Also, I am doing a kind of rebranding by going through dance classes, so as to put my brand on the top. So, I am at the moment doing a lot of things to prepare myself for my next outing.
Why did you go for dance classes?
I have been in this industry for about 15 years now-I celebrated 15 years in the industry in March. So, I can’t continue to do the same thing that I used to do. This is a new era and new generation; so, I am just trying to rebrand, so as to put my brand in top shape.
Could this be the sole reason you have not been active?
I have been more into administrative work, musically. I was part of the PMAN administration and COSON. So, I have been more in the struggle to make sure that the right machines are put in place for the music industry to be more functional to the stakeholders. But I am also very interested in putting songs out there.
You recently advertised ICT training for youths. How did you come about that?
I see a lot of situations, where a lot of youths have lots of gargets, but do not put them to good use. These young ones still go about begging for money; they don’t know the value of those things they carry about. They don’t realise the fact that they could have their own businesses and have a shop online, where they can market themselves. So, this is my concern.
But how did you become involved in the training?
I am going to be part of it; I am one of the organisers. But we actually have facilitators. I don’t know it all, so we decided to bring in professionals too. The thing is: we run an Internet company called Network Tentacles, which actually informed the idea. We felt there is a need to train the youths on how to be useful to themselves, instead of going about doing nothing. Without the Internet, you cannot do anything. You need it to promote your music, brands and some other things.
The last time we talked, you said you took a break to focus on family and kids. Why did you keep that out of the public eyes?
Music is my life and my life is music. But it was more like rebranding because I needed to find something that is true to me. The person I thought was me was no longer there. One thing is, if you have followed my brand over the years, you will see that I have stayed true to myself. And if I didn’t know myself, who would I be true to? So, that was the reason I did that.
How do you advise people who are in a similar situation?
The truth about is, for people who have been confirmed blind or deaf, they will never see or hear again for life. So also is the issue with such a situation. But does that mean that they should sit in a place and mourn all the days of their lives? They have a life to live. So, will they have to live it in pity? Instead of doing that, is it not better to find what they like doing and find joy in that? In a situation where there are no kids, you still have a life to live. You owe it to God to add value to your environment and live a good life.
You should forget what you don’t have and focus on what you have presently. And if you don’t have a smile on your face, you can’t put on other people’s faces. If you don’t value your life at that moment, then, you can’t add value to the people around you too. So, you have to add value to what you have and move forward. If it comes, you will live a good life; and if it doesn’t, you will still have to live a good life. There are lots of motherless babies who need motherly love that you can give. And sometimes, when you adopt children, they end up looking like you. And then, nobody will ask you if you have children because those are your children.
With your own experience, how have you been handling the situation?
Just exactly what I told you. There were too many things to occupy my mind. My life was not just about having kids. My life is about singing, mentoring people , putting the right structure in my industry and adding value to myself, my family and country as a whole. I was concentrating more on that.
But this is Africa, where a marriage without kids is considered fruitless. How has your husband been handling the situation too?
That is what I always tell people. They say you have to be attracted to people who share your views and things you value. In the first place, what are you doing with a man who does not think the way you think? So, first and foremost, you have to get married to a man who is your friend and who values you for who you are. So, if you have been able to sort that out, the rest is history.
